NEYMAR has revealed he snubbed Real Madrid after a trial aged ten.
The Brazil legend was 'thrilled' by the chance but quit as he got homesick.
Instead Neymar spent eight years with home-country giants Santos – before his legendary spell with Real's fierce rivals Barcelona.
But the PSG striker, 30, admits he was 'so happy' when Real came calling 20 years ago – especially as it was the dawn of their Galacticos' era.
Ex-Barca playmaker Luis Figo, French maestro Zinedine Zidane and Brazil frontman Ronaldo arrived from 2000 to 2002, joining Raul, Roberto Carlos and Co.
And over the next three years England duo David Beckham and Michael Owen, Brazilian enigma Robinho and all-time great Spain defender Sergio Ramos also came in.
Neymar, who was also linked with a Bernabeu move in 2019, told the Fenomenos podcast: "When I was 10, Real Madrid invited me for a try-out.
"I was thrilled, I was so happy.
"I watched their practice. It was during the Galacticos era.
"I watched a game and I think all the goals were scored by Brazilians.
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"I think two by Ronaldo, one by Robinho and a free-kick from Julio Baptista and another by Roberto Carlos."
Neymar admits he was in dreamland and did what most other star-struck kids would have done in the same situation.
He explained: "After the game I got a picture with all of them. I was over the moon."
But he missed Brazil so much that he soon made the drastic return to snub an even bigger opportunity with Real.
Neymar said: "I stayed there for a week, for the try-out. It lasted for four or five days.
'IT WAS ALL SET UP FOR ME'
On the fifth day they wanted to take me to a championship being held in Barcelona MIC Cup but I quit.
I got really homesick and I wanted to go back home.
“It was pretty much all set up for me to play at Real Madrid but then I got back."
Whatever Neymar thinks of his decision now, he ultimately went on to become one-third of arguably the greatest front three in the modern game – with Spain's other giant, Barcelona.
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